Michael Bloomberg Preparing For 2020 Presidential Run, Report

By R.J. Johnson - @rickerthewriterNov 8, 2019

"Paris to Pittsburgh" Film Screening, Hosted By Bloomberg Philanthropies And National Geographic

The already-crowded Democratic field for president may have just found themselves with another candidate. According to a report in the New York Times, the former mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, is preparing to file paperwork in order to qualify for the Democratic presidential primary in Alabama.

Bloomberg has not officially declared a candidacy, however, the Times reports that Bloomberg and a number of his advisers contacted several "prominent Democrats" to let them know he was seriously considering entering the race. Bloomberg is taking the run so seriously, he has reportedly sent some staffers to Alabama to gather signatures to qualify Bloomberg for the primary there.

Some of Bloomberg's potential rivals for the 2020 nod, welcomed the new challenger, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

"Welcome to the race, @MikeBloomberg! If you're looking for policy plans that will make a huge difference for working people and which are very popular, start here," Warren wrote on Twitter, linking to a calculator on her website that calculates how much billionaires would pay under her "Ultra-Millionaire Tax."

Other candidates were not as welcoming, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) writing on Twitter shortly after the Times report broke that the "billionaire class is scared and they should be scared."

Earlier this year, Bloomberg appeared to pull back back from the idea of running for the Democratic presidential nomination, writing in an op-ed column in March that he felt he could make a bigger difference with his philanthropy.

"I’ve come to realize that I’m less interested in talking than doing. And I have concluded that, for now, the best way for me to help our country is by rolling up my sleeves and continuing to get work done," Bloomberg wrote.

Citing an aide to Bloomberg, Politico reports that Bloomberg has become concerned over the current state of the Democratic field of candidates in the primary and has begun to worry Democrats may lose next November.

If Bloomberg were to officials toss his hat in the ring, it'd be unlikely he could qualify for the debate scheduled for Nov. 20 in Atlanta, and would have to wait to take the debate stage in December, if he were to qualify at all.